James w



l @with tatts gattnt @ffice JAMES W. MCKEE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Lener-s Parent No. 69,234, darai StZ-,femm 24, ist? CLAMP-STRAP FOR SCHOOL-BOOKS.

A ein tlgthnlt nit-nth tu in tigtst Etnias taunt mit uniting part nt tigt srl-mc.

TO ALL WHOM I'I MAY OONOERN:

Beit known that I, JAMES W. McKEE, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for School-Books; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same. reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a portion of this specification, in which-` -Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a clamp constructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 isa side view ofthe same, taken at right angles to fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both iigures.

'lhe object of this invention is to secure a device by which children may conveniently carry their schoolbooks, and which may be readily applied to any desired number of books, and also to those of different sizes, l without that liability to injure the edges ofthe books which exists when the common strap is used. i

The invention consists in two longitudinally adjustable side pieces in combination with suitable straps, f, whereby the desired object is accomplished. lhc invention further consists in the combination of a suspending cord with the aforesaid side piecesfand straps, whereby the facility with which the apparatus may be carried .when in use is materially increased'. The invention further consists in a novel means whereby the straps hereinbefore mentioned may be very readily and securely tightened and adjusted in placing the device upon the books, and whereby the accidental displacement of the booksfrom the clamp is especially provided against.

To enable others to understand the nature and construction of my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

The side pieces of the clamp are shown at A, and are each composed of two narrow and somewhat elastic l plates or strips a, of steel or other suitable metal, connected by bands oreverlapping ears Zz, in such manner as to slide longitudinally one upon the other, in order that the said side piecesvmay be elongated or shortened, as circumstances may require, and as 'hereinafter fully set forth. The two opposite ends of these plates or strips p are turned into a position at right angles to their main length, thus forming lugs e at the extremities of the side piece formed by the said plates, the lug c of one of the said plates having one end of a suitably perforated strap, B, attached thereto in any suitable manner, while projecting outward from the innermost cmd of the same l plate is a supplemental knob, ad", the office of which will be hereinafter fully set forth. The lug of the other k plate of each side piece is furnished with a lip, d, which extends outward at right angles thereto, and is formed with a transverse slot, et', thc said lug being furthermore provided with a stem, e, having an enlarged outer end, b', as represented more fully in fig. 1. In using the clamp the two side pieces A thereof are placed upon opposite sidcspf the book or books which in the drawings are indicated in red outline, the said pieces being {irst adjusted to the length of such books by moving the plates or strips a, of which they are composed, in or out, to lengthen or shorten the said side pieces, as maybe required. The` strap B of each of the side pieces is then passed' through the slotted lip d of the lug c of the other side piece, and both straps being drawn tight, the stems c are forced through the holes c in the straps, as shown more fully in iig. l, the side pieces being by these means drawn snugly against the sides ofthe books, which are consequently securely clamped and held in place between the said side pieces. The outer end portions of the straps are then brought inte'a position parallel with theside pieces, andthe supplemental knobs are forced through suitable holes therein, as represented more fully V` in 1, and bypreventiug the two plates of each side piece from moving longitudinally upon each other prevent/the elongation' of thc clamp, and consequently thc loosening and displacement of the books, which would otherwise he likely to occur in the event ofjarring or swinging the same while they are being carried as hereinbefore set forth. The stems aand slotted ears d enable the clamp to be thus fastened around the hooks with much greater ease and convenience than would be practicable if an ordinary buckle were employed in their places, and furthermore allow the said clamp to be much more easily detached from the books, inasmuch as either of the straps maybe loosened by'simply pulling it outward over and from the head or enlarged outer end Z1 ofthe stem e and the knob (1*. Inasmuch as the lugs c are situated at right angles to the side pieces A, -it follows that thc edges of the books,- when held in the clamp, are not indented or injured, as is found to be the case when an ordinary strap is cmpleycdto hold the books together. Attached to one of the plates of each side piece A is a ring or staple, f, to which is attached one end of a suspending cord, C, by means of which the clamp, with the books held therein, may be suspended from the'arm ofthe person carrying the same, or the said cord may be grasped in the hand to earry the saiti clamp and books if desired.

What I claim as my invention,a11d desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1...lhe two longitudinally adjustabie side pieces A, in combination with the straps B, substantially :1s and for the purpose herein set forth. I

2. The combination of the suspending:r cord C with the longitudinally adjustable side pieces A and straps i. B, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth. M

3. The stems e, in combination with the slotted lips d oi'` the side piecesA and the straps B, substantially as and fory the purpose herein set forth. 4

4., The supplemental knobs a, in combination with the longitudinaliy adjustable side pieces and the straps B, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

' JAMES W. M-CKEE.

Witnesses:

J. W. CooMBs, Gr. W. REED.

i F t 

